As a way of preventing and addressing incidences of corruption in public service, the North-West Regional Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday, 9th July 2025 engaged management and staff of the Karene District Health Management Team (DHMT) in Kamakwie, on issues of integrity in the workplace.

Explaining the purpose of the meeting, Senior Public Education Officer Junisa Sankoh said the event was meant to heighten public knowledge on various corruption issues and to ensure the presence of the Commission was significantly felt in the district.

Addressing staff of the DHMT, the ACC Regional Director Zainab Othman acknowledged the role of the team in delivering primary healthcare services in the district. She said that delivering quality healthcare services occupies a crucial part of their mandate, and in delivering these services they must be mindful of the law and best practices. 

She pointed out that corruption in the health sector represents one of the most significant barriers to achieving equitable and efficient healthcare for all, adding that its prevalence undermines trust in healthcare systems, diverts essential resources away from patient care, and ultimately jeopardizes the health and well-being of citizens. 

Making a statement on the significance of upholding transparency and integrity in public life, Public Education Officer Mohamed Thullah reminded the DHMT about provisions of the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Act of 2019, which has toughened the anti-corruption law by providing stiffer penalties- including jail terms and fines. He said the Act also provides robust assets recovery measures, trial in absentia and powers to the ACC Commissioner to cancel contracts deemed not to be in the interest of the public.

He further explained some of the key offences in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019 that border on bribery, receiving gifts for corrupt purposes, misappropriation of public/donor funds and property, double dipping, and the various acts of extortion prevalent in peripheral health units (PHUs) across the district. 

Earlier in his brief statement, the Karene District Medical Officer Dr Chernor Jalloh thanked the ACC for engaging them on corruption issues and to also guide their conduct in the process of delivering healthcare services. He lauded the Commission's prevention approach in combating graft.

In another development, as part of the Commission’s collaboration with the National Medical Supplies Agency, the ACC North-West Regional Director and team visited and inspected the Karene District Medical Store to monitor the use and distribution of drugs and other medical supplies in the district.